Trump Now Holds Putin 'Responsible'

President Donald Trump, center, reacts to a question from a member of the media during his meeting with members of his cabinet in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, July 18,... (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

(Newser)
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Head on a swivel, people: President Trump now says he would hold Vladimir Putin personally responsible for Russian meddling in the 2016 election, CNN reports. Trump—who said two days ago that "I don't see any reason why it would be Russia" and then added a key contraction amid furious backlash—took an even stronger stand Wednesday when pressed by CBS Evening News anchor Jeff Glor. "But you haven't condemned Putin, specifically," Glor said in an interview. "Do you hold him personally responsible?" The ensuing exchange, per CBS News:

Trump: "Well, I would, because he's in charge of the country. Just like I consider myself to be responsible for things that happen in this country. So certainly as the leader of a country you would have to hold him responsible, yes."

Glor: "What did you say to him?"

Trump: "Very strong on the fact that we can't have meddling, we can't have any of that—now look. We're also living in a grown-up world. Will a strong statement—you know—President Obama supposedly made a strong statement—nobody heard it. What they did hear is a statement he made to Putin's very close friend. And that statement was not acceptable. Didn't get very much play relatively speaking. But that statement was not acceptable. But I let him know we can't have this, we're not going to have it, and that's the way it's going to be."